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months past been closely followed by a Chinese torpedo
boat, with the result that sniping us from the river
banks has ceased.
I also mark on the chart the position where the
"Shiu on" was pirated some twenty months ago, when my
friend Nicholson was killed. His case came to my mind
immediately on my being held up.
In making my claim through the Hongkong Government
why did the reply to me come from the Harbour Master?
Later, his reply to me was somewhat repudiated in the
second letter from the Government to Messrs. Wilkinson
and Grist.
Reimbursement has in the past certainly been paid
to victims of outrages in Chinese waters. Granted,
it has usually been in cases where people have been
killed or nearly killed.
Finally, I venture the opinion that hud I been a
subject of any other European nation, or a citizen of
the United States, I should have received more sympathetic
treatment from my country's representatives.
Two months since the affair, and as yet there is
no word of any official inquiry.
(Signed)
I am &c.,
H. Cornwell.
Late Chief Officer, S.S."Tai On"
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